Lalit Modi steps away from cricket administration 'for now'

Lalit Modi, the former IPL commissioner, has decided to step away from cricket administration and "hand over the baton" for the betterment of Rajasthan cricket. Modi addressed a letter to Rahul Johri, the BCCI CEO, informing him of the decision on Friday (August 11).

Modi resigned as the president of the Nagaur District Association before urging the BCCI to revoke the suspension imposed on Rajasthan Cricket Association. He was removed from the BCCI after money laundering charges were brought in against him by the Enforcement Directorate of India.

Modi, though, continued to fight the elections and was chosen as the president in 2014. As a result, BCCI decided to suspend RCA and stopped the funds provided to the state bodies for their functioning.

"As I hand over the baton, I want to thank everyone in my team over the past two decades at Rajasthan and the BCCI," Modi wrote in a letter addressed to Johri, which he went on to share on Twitter. "We had some great times sculpting and putting together the future of Indian cricket. Now that the future is here, let's hope BCCI and RCA set higher goals. But for Rajasthan to aim higher, we need funds from the BCCI which is our rightful share.

"I have done my part for the betterment of Rajasthan cricket, and now it is your turn to honor your part of the promise. I repose my faith in you and the BCCI to do the right thing. I would, therefore, request you to release the funds due to RCA as soon as possible. I believe it was blocked precisely because of my presence. With my exit from all forms of cricket, at all levels, forever, I think RCA deserves to reclaim their share and presence on the Indian cricket map. I hope the BCCI under your stewardship lives up to that promise.

"More importantly, I believe in the reforms introduced by Honourable Justice Lodha. I believe that is the way forward. In fact the RCA was the first association to ensure 100% compliance with all the proposals of the Lodha committee. And in the same vein, I'm happy to inform you that I'm bidding goodbye to cricket for now."

The RCA is currently led by CP Joshi, the veteran Congress leader, who defeated Ruchi Modi, Lalit's son, earlier this year to earn the post.